Pastor Steve Ruetschle

How to Handle Tests

Genesis 22

Pastor Steve explored the story of Abraham and Isaac and how it can serve as a guide to handling the trials and temptations we all face from time to time. Steve gave us five lessons to learn when encountering these trials and what to do when they come.

1) Steve noted that God’s purpose is to test our faith and train us in our walk with Him, while Satan’s purpose is to cause us to fail. Please read James 1: 2-4 and James 1:13-15. Contrast these two passages and discuss what stands out to you.

2) An important factor in facing trials is to faithfully obey God’s word. Read aloud Hebrews 11:8. Tell about a time when you faced a trial and obeyed God’s word. What scriptures were important to you during this trial?

3) During times of trial we must trust that God will provide. In Genesis 22:7-8 and 13-14 we are given an example of faith in God’s provision. Do you ever get “spiritual amnesia” when undergoing trying circumstances? What are your thoughts or words of wisdom in how to remember God will provide in the midst of a trial?

4) Steve noted we should look forward to the blessings of obedience in times of trial. Obedience can have a “ripple effect” which creates unexpected blessings in the future. Has any trial you’ve experienced ever have such an effect? Please share.

5) We should expect trials and temptations in our lives. (John 16:33 and James 1:12). As you look down the road what, if any, trials do you anticipate coming your way? How will you prepare in advance to handle them?

1. Have you ever been on a mission trip or served in the mission field, either in your city, in your nation, or abroad? Describe one transforming experience you’ve had while serving.

2. Read Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23, the parable of the sower. In the context of missions, in Alaska or elsewhere, why might the seeds of the gospel fail to flourish?

3. Steve Ristow talked about the large vegetables and crops that are grown in Alaska, despite the harsh conditions. The secret, he revealed, was the use of greenhouses to protect the plants from the harsh elements. How are missionaries like spiritual greenhouses for the seeds of the gospel? What might we do to partner with them in preparing the soil and protecting the seeds?

4. Read 2 Timothy 2:10. Steve Ristow talked about the cost of delivering the gospel. Missionaries in Alaska give up their family, their friendships and fellowship opportunities in order to serve under harsh conditions in the villages. What might motivate them to make such big sacrifices? In what ways are you challenged to endure for the sake of the gospel in your own life?

5. In Christianity, missional living is the adoption of the posture, thinking, behaviors, and practices of a missionary in order to engage others with the gospel message. Most of us are not full-time missionaries, but we are still “sent out” into our homes, communities and workplaces. How can you be missional in your day-to-day life?

Special Speaker: Ted Kober of Ambassadors of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

1. This morning Ted Kober stated, “Here’s the first most amazing thing . . . God knows everything about you. And nonetheless, He loves you.” How do you react to that statement? Share the ways in which you experience God’s love…how does He communicate His love to you?

2. When you have a disagreement with someone how do you respond? Is your worst nature sometimes revealed as Ted noted? What scripture do you go to for guidance in dealing with disagreements?

3. As Christians, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation. Using the example of the U.S. ambassador to India, Ted asked the following: Who does an ambassador represent? Where does an ambassador primarily live? Does it make a difference in how an ambassador acts when not at the embassy? What is he responsible to communicate? Answer and discuss these questions as they apply to your role as a follower of Christ. Where are your areas of strength and of weakness in this regard?

4. What is the difference between reconciliation and conflict resolution? If you can, think of a time when you were able to resolve a conflict but no reconciliation occurred. What happened to the relationship between you the person with whom you had the conflict?

5. Ted asked this question. “Why is it so difficult for Christians to do reconciliation and not just conflict resolution?” What is your answer to this question?

Here is the ‘second most thing’ as shared by Ted. We have an assignment from God, and although we continue to struggle with our sinful natures, He nevertheless calls us to serve as His ambassadors of reconciliation. This means sharing the good news with one another and to forgive as we have been forgiven. As a group, share a few minutes of silence reflecting on God’s forgiveness. Consider closing your time reciting the Lord’s prayer together.

God's Covenant with Abraham – Genesis 15 – Pastor Steve Ruetschle

1. Today Pastor Steve began his sermon asking, “What does God do with fears and doubts?” What verse or verses do you cling to in times of fear or doubt?

2. Please read verse Genesis 15:1 out loud together. Can you think of a time when you believe God shielded you from harm or danger? Please share it with the group.

3. In Genesis 15: 4-5 God gives Abram a tangible reminder of His promises. What was it? What tangible things cause you to stop and remember the Lord and His promises to you?

4. Pastor Steve noted that Genesis 15:6 is the most important verse in the Old Testament. Why is that? Please look up and read Romans chapters 3 and 4, Romans 5:1-2 and Galatians 3:7-9. What stands out to you when reading these passages?

5. See Genesis 15 verses 2 and 8. Abram questions God; “What can you give me…?” (verse 2) and “…how can I know…” (verse 8). Abram doesn’t shy away from asking God pretty direct questions! Do you do that? Share your thoughts about God’s covenant in response to Abram’s questions.

6. Please read Hebrews 6:11-19. Verse 19 tells us that we have “hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.” Is there a situation in which you need greater faith and patience? How can your faith be an anchor for your soul in whatever storms you may face?

Speaker: Dr. Gerry Breshears, Western Seminary

ABRAHAM'S CALL – GENESIS 12

1. Please read Genesis 3: 4-6. Dr. Breshears noted that, in eating the fruit, Adam and Eve wanted to be like God. What did this look like? How, in our society today, do we want to be like God?

2. After Adam and Eve’s sin, Genesis 4 tells us that Cain became angry and further sins followed. Please review chapters 4,5 and 6 and list some of these behaviors.

3. In Genesis 11, the people built a tower “that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves….” What sinful behavior is evidenced here? What was the Lord’s response to this? What parallels do you see in our time?

4. Please read Genesis 12:1-9. The Lord says to Abram, “Go from your country, your and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Abram demonstrated trust and obedience in his response to God. In your life experience does trust come before obedience or obedience before trust? Please share a time that you trusted God when you had no idea of the possible outcome.

5. God tells Abram what He is going to do in Genesis 12. Please list all of God’s “I will” promises in this chapter. How do you think these promises affected Abram’s thinking and future decisions? Which one(s) resonate with you and why?

6. Dr. Breshears noted that God’s promises to Abram flow down through history all the way to us! His examples are found in Isaiah 52:10-15, Mark 1:16-20 and Revelation 7:9. Please read these verses and discuss. What do God’s promises look like in your life? How have they impacted the way live and serve God?

GOD REMEMBERED NOAH – GENESIS 6-9 – PASTOR STEVE RUETSCHLE

1. In Genesis 6:5 God looks and sees “how great the wickedness of the human race had become.” What are the parallels between the state of humanity in Noah’s time and our own?

2. In Genesis 6:6 we learn that God regretted that He had made human beings. Does God actually have regrets? Please discuss.

3. Genesis 6:9 tells us that Noah walked faithfully with God, and Steve noted that one characteristic of these chapters is poetic parallelism…repetition to emphasize a point. Find the passages that indicate that Noah repeatedly did as God commanded and discuss the following: What is the connection between walking faithfully with God and obedience to Him? Why would Noah obey God’s unusual request?

3. Has God ever requested you to do something that you thought was risky, frightening or didn’t make sense? What was it and what did you do?

4. Steve noted that the story of Noah and the Ark is a foreshadowing of God’s saving work through Jesus. As you read Genesis 6-9 how many examples of this do you see? For example, the ark had one door, see John 10:9 (ESV).

5. After the devastation of the flood, God remembered Noah (verse 8:1). The flood can symbolize our problems of all kinds whether they be relational, physical, financial or something else altogether. Who has remembered you in a time of trouble? If there is a time that God has remembered you in tough circumstances please share and encourage you fellow group members.

THE STORY OF THE FALL – GENESIS 2-3

PASTOR STEVE RUETSCHLE

Please read from Genesis 2:20 – 3:24.

Pastor Steve asked us three questions. What were we created for? What went wrong? What are the consequences?

1. What were we created for? What are the four relationships that God intended for us? What do you think those relationships were like before the Fall?

2. What went wrong? Describe in your own words what went wrong in the Garden of Eden. What was it about Adam and Eve that caused them to do what they did?

3. Pastor Steve noted that all of us are very susceptible to temptation. The ‘serpent’ is very crafty in how he tempts us. It may be twisting God’s words and appealing to our pride, such as, “Is that what God really said? Why shouldn’t you do what YOU want to do?” Or, “You don’t have the intelligence, the talent or the skill to do the thing God is demanding of you. It’s so hard for you, why even try?” What kinds of temptation are you most susceptible to?

4. What are the consequences? Pastor Steve talked about the consequences of the Fall in terms of relationships. As you view your life and the world around us what do see in terms of post-Fall relationships?

5. Read Romans 5:12-21 out loud together. Verse 17 states, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Share a time in your life when you were very much in need of “God’s abundant provision of grace” and received it.

Dr. Barbara Feil – Made for Relationships –Genesis 2

1. Genesis 2:7 states, “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Why do you think God created Adam?

2. Barb described three kinds of loneliness; cultural (unique to our time), situational (identifiable life circumstances) and existential (inner) loneliness. Discuss these three types as a group. Does one of them particularly resonate with you? Please share.

3. Existential (inner) loneliness is the most complicated type of loneliness and is often rooted in shame. With this type of loneliness we often isolate ourselves as we think we are alone in our need. Satan capitalizes on this with his lies. What kind of lies has Satan wanted you to believe in times of loneliness? What did you do in this situation? Did someone else help you?

4. Part of the solution to loneliness lies in our willingness to be vulnerable and choose to need other people even though they may fail us. Is this difficult for you? Share how you go about choosing to need other people.

5. Barb shared that Starbucks recognized the need to address loneliness in their mission to create community and make someone’s day over a cup of coffee. Brilliant! How are we doing at Sunset in addressing loneliness? As a group, share your ideas to further create community at our church. As individuals name someone you know who is lonely and commit some time, as Barb said, “to just be with

them.”

MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD – GENESIS 1 – Pastor Steve Ruetschle

1. Consider God’s creation, what do you marvel at?

2. This morning Pastor Steve began his sermon talking about receiving his father’s blessing and how important that was to him. Have you received a blessing from someone important to you? Share that experience with the group and what it meant to you.

3. The poetic pattern of Genesis 1 is “Let there be” or “Let the” (God then creates and says) “It is (was) good.” In the 8th repetition of this pattern it changes to “Let US make mankind our image…” Why do you think the pattern changes?

4. Steve noted that there are trifold blessings contained in Genesis 1.

a) We human beings are the summit of creation, intentionally made in His image.

b) God’s creation is VERY good and we are given authority over it.

c) God has blessed us, meaning God favors us and we can be confident in His love for us.

What are the implications of these blessings? Please think about and name three ways in which we should respond to these three blessings.

5. Would you be willing to name and commit to a specific act of service that would express your gratitude to God in light of these blessings? At your next meeting share your experience with the your group.

Pastor Steve Ruetschle

2 Corinthians 3:18

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV)

“But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we can become more and more like him.” (TLB)

“So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.” (Contemporary English Version)

1. In 2 Corinthians 3 the word ‘glory’ is mentioned 12 times. What does ‘glory’ mean in this context? What are some of the attributes that display the glory of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

2. Pastor Steve noted that transformation is a major theme of 2 Corinthians 3:18 and stated that to transform we must turn to the Lord and reflect Him like a mirror. What spiritual disciplines do you use to help you turn to the Lord? What gets in your way in turning to the Lord?

3. The Living Bible translation above states, “we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.” In what way are you a mirror that is a bright reflection of the Lord’s glory? Where are you need of further transformation?

4. In discussing how can we turn to the Lord, Pastor Steve said we must: 1) turn our faces toward God, 2) turn our minds toward God, and 3) turn our hearts toward God. Which of these resonates the most with you? Which is the greatest challenge?

5. Finally, Pastor Steve noted that the transformation into ever-increasing glory is a gradual process. When looking back, can you think of time when you realized that you’ve made a step toward that kind of transformation? Please share.